Ok so in my experience so far, as soon as I express any interest in a dress, the consultant tells me she can give me 10% off. And I got in a little deeper on one dress and the consultant was saying she could definitely give me more than that. I felt like she was definitely going to be able to come down 15%.

I’ve also been to trunk shows where they tell me up front that any dress from that designer will be 10% off that weekend.

So who is discounting what? Does the designer absorb the trunk show discount, meaning I should be able to get the store to come down their normal 10% as well (total discount closer to 20%) or what?

Has anyone successfully negotiated a discount on top of the trunk show discount? Or received other freebies (free veil/shoes/alterations)?

I’d also love it if people would specify what region they are in when they reply, I think local practices make a difference!

@TrousseauHorse: I haven’t ever done it, I purchased my gown as a sample so got a huge discount that way. However I’m going to say on a whim that since the designer is already discounting you 10%, if you can afford it, I would leave it at that. If it’s one of those times that you’re barely above budget, maybe gently mention that “this is gorgeous, but my budget is $x.” And see the reaction. It never hurts to try!

@TrousseauHorse: I didn’t buy my dress at a trunk show but the store I went into was already having a 15% off sample gowns sale for one week, after I explained to the lady that it would be hard for me to get the money quick enough to pay the dress off with time to get alterations she gave me another 15% on top of that